Integrating award-winning stories like “The Gruffalo” with magic and music, Dixie State University is hosting its inaugural Storytime event for families and children of all ages.

The university’s English and Music departments are teaming up to invite children of all ages to an evening of storytelling from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 25 in the Concert Hall of the Dolores Doré Eccles Fine Arts Center on the Dixie State Campus. Admission is free, and the public is encouraged to attend.

To open the Storytime event, officers and volunteers from Dixie’s chapter of the International English honor society Sigma Tau Delta will lead storytelling stations and pirate magician Eli McKraken will entertain event goers.

Later in the evening, Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Michael Harding and Assistant Professor of Music Glenn Webb will bring additional stories to life as they perform on stage. As a professional actor, Harding will use his years of experience to animate a selection of children’s books. After his performance, Webb will take the stage to share a few stories as well.

“I am excited to present children’s stories in a unique form,” Webb said. “I will recite the stories while providing a musical background on percussion instruments. This way, the stories will come to life with all kinds of sounds and textures.”

For more information about Dixie State University’s Storytime event, contact Webb at webbg@utahtech.edu.